The Department of Plastic Surgery offers a comprehensive medical framework for breast reduction surgeries: together with one of the department's doctors, the patient will agree on a comprehensive treatment plan based on medical conditions and the patient's preferences. Before the surgery, various tests such as ECG and blood tests will be performed. In certain cases, the patient may also be asked to undergo an ultrasound and mammogram. During the breast reduction surgery, according to the pre-established plan, excess breast tissue and skin are surgically removed, often involving repositioning of the nipple and areola. The surgery itself is performed under full anesthesia and lasts several hours (usually between 2-4).
After the surgery and a short hospital stay in the department (usually, 24 hours if no complications arise), the patient will be released with various limitations. Swelling in the breasts is expected to subside within a few weeks after the breast reduction surgery. The final results can typically be observed between three months to half a year after the surgery.
In breast reduction surgery, the mammary ducts are not disconnected. However, in some cases, women who undergo breast reduction might not be able to breastfeed in the future (usually unrelated to the surgery itself). Another potential risk of breast reduction surgery is altered sensation in the nipple and areola area. Usually, these changes in sensation subside after a few months, but in rare cases, they may be persistent. One of the rarest and most severe complications is the development of necrosis in the areola, nipple, or both. This complication arises due to the interruption of blood supply to the nipple and areola during the removal of breast tissue and is more common in women who smoke, women with pre-existing vascular issues, and women with exceptionally large breasts. Usually, necrosis is only partial and can be resolved with medical tattooing. If the necrosis affects the entire areola and nipple, the accepted solution is to reconstruct both. This reconstruction is generally successful in terms of appearance, however, the reconstructed nipple and areola do not have the same sensation, resulting in a loss of sexual pleasure. It should be noted that breastfeeding is not possible using a reconstructed nipple.